Isaiah 46 · Verse 5

Isaiah 46:5

To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
Isaiah 46:5, King James Version

Isaiah 46:5 in other translations

BSBTo whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?
WEB“To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal, and compare me, as if we were the same?
ASVTo whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
YLTTo whom do ye liken Me, and make equal? And compare Me, that we may be like?
DARBYTo whom will ye liken me and make me equal, or compare me, that we may be like?
BBEWho in your eyes is my equal? or what comparison will you make with me?
WebsterTo whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

What does Isaiah 46:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. (Is 40:18, 25).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Isaiah 46:5-13
Here the folly of those who made idols, and then prayed to them, is exposed. How does the profuseness of idolaters shame the niggardliness of many who call themselves God's servants, but are for a religion which costs them nothing! The service of sin always costs a great deal. God puts it to them what senseless, helpless things idols are. Let, then, the Jews show themselves men, avoiding such abominations. Many Scripture prophecies, delivered long ago, are not yet fulfilled; but the fulfilling of some is an earnest that the rest will come to pass. Nothing can help more to make us easy, than to be assured that God will do all his pleasure. Even those who know not and mind not God's revealed will, are called and used to fulfil the counsels of his secret will. Heaven and earth shall pass away, sooner than one tittle of the word of God. Obstinate sinners are addressed. Such were far from acceptance, but they were summoned to hearken to the word of the Lord. The salvation of a sinner begins with a humble and contrite heart, that trembles at God's word, with godly sorrow working true repentance, and faith in his mercy, through the obedience unto death of our Divine Surety. Christ, as the Divine righteousness and salvation to his people, would come in the appointed time. His salvation abides in his church for all believers.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Isaiah 46:5 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

לְמִ֥יle.Mito whom?H4310
תְדַמְי֖וּנִיte.dam.Yu.niwill you liken meH1819
וְתַשְׁו֑וּve.tash.Vuand you may make [me] equal?H7737
וְתַמְשִׁל֖וּנִיve.tam.shi.Lu.niand will you compare? meH4911
וְנִדְמֶֽה\׃ve.nid.Mehand we may be alikeH1819

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Isaiah 46:5

  • Isaiah 40:18

    To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

  • Isaiah 40:25

    To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

  • Psalms 89:6

    For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?

  • Philippians 2:6

    Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

  • Colossians 1:15

    Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

  • Jeremiah 10:16

    The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The Lord of hosts is his name.

  • Exodus 15:11

    Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

  • Jeremiah 10:6-7

    Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

  • Psalms 86:8

    Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

  • Psalms 113:5

    Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,

  • Psalms 89:8

    O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

  • Hebrews 1:3

    Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
40:18,25; Ex 15:11; Ps 86:8; 89:6,8; 113:5; Jer 10:6,7,16; Php 2:6
Col 1:15; Heb 1:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Isaiah 46:4

    And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

  • Isaiah 46:5

    To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

  • Isaiah 46:6

    They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

Read all of Isaiah 46

Isaiah 46:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿A quién me asemejáis, y me igualáis, y me comparáis, para que sea semejante?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		À qui me comparerez-vous et m’égalerez-vous ou m’assimilerez-vous, pour que nous soyons semblables?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wem wollt ihr mich vergleichen und gleichstellen und mich ähnlich machen, daß wir gleich seien? -
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Cui assimilastis me, et adæquastis, et comparastis me, et fecistis similem?